Man charged after pedestrian killed in Niagara

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - A 30-year-old man is facing charges including impaired driving causing death after police say a woman was struck and killed by a pickup truck in St. Catharines, Ont.

Niagara region police say they were alerted to a pickup driving erratically at a "very high rate of speed" early Saturday but that the vehicle took off when approached by a highway patrol officer.

The pursuit was cut off after a short distance due to safety concerns and the officer lost sight of the truck when it left the Queen Elizabeth Way highway.

Police say not long after the vehicle's driver lost control and struck a pedestrian in an intersection before slamming into a tree.

The woman, identified only as a 67-year-old St. Catharines resident, was rushed to hospital and pronounced dead.

Pirasath Aiyathurai, of Brampton, has been charged with flight from police, criminal negligence causing death, impaired driving causing death, failing to remain at the scene of an accident and driving while disqualified.

It's not known when the suspect will appear in court to face the allegations.